Endotracheal intubation apparatus

Abstract

A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation in a patient, the instrument including a handle and an elongated obturator element extending therefrom, the obturator element for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube for positioning within the patient, a mechanism being provided for selectively retaining and ejecting the endotracheal tube from the obturator element, the obturator element accommodating therethrough an endoscope to permit visualization at the end thereof to facilitate placement of the endotracheal tube, the apparatus also including structure for providing controlled suction at the end of the obturator element.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation or the like in a patient by a selected endotracheal tube comprising: handle means for gripping by one hand of a user;   elongated obturator means having first and second ends and being fixedly secured adjacent to said first end thereof to said handle means, said obturator means for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube, said obturator means having a longitudinal lumen disposed therein extending from said first end of said obturator means to said second end thereof, said obturator means also for removably receiving in said longitudinal lumen at least a portion of an endoscope thereby permitting visualization by said endoscope at said second end of said obturator means;   means for selectively retaining and ejecting the selected endotracheal tube when disposed upon said obturator means;   means for providing controlled delivery of a gas to said second end of said obturator means for supplying said gas to the patient for anesthetic and ventilation purposes as desired by the user; and   means for providing controlled suction at said second end of said obturator means;   wherein said selectively retaining and ejecting means, said controlled gas delivery means and said controlled suction means are controlled by the one hand of the user when said handle means is gripped by the one hand of the user.   
     
     
       2. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said selective retaining and ejecting means comprises means for frictionally retaining the selected endotracheal tube and means for overcoming said frictional engagement and simultaneously ejecting the endotracheal tube. 
     
     
       3. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 2, wherein said frictional engagement means comprises collar means mounted on said obturator means adjacent to said first end thereof, said collar means for engaging the end of the selected endotracheal tube which falls adjacent to said first end of said elongated obturator means when the selected endotracheal tube is disposed thereon. 
     
     
       4. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 2, wherein said friction overcoming and simultaneously ejecting means is a lever having one end thereof for engaging a portion of the selected endotracheal tube, said lever being pivotally affixed to said handle means, pivoting of said lever terminating retention of the selected endotracheal tube by said frictional engagement means. 
     
     
       5. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 4 wherein said lever is configured as a trigger. 
     
     
       6. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 2, wherein said selective retaining and ejecting means comprises frictional engagement means in the form of collar means mounted on said obturator means adjacent to said first end thereof, said collar means for engaging the end of the selected endotracheal tube which falls adjacent to said first end of said elongated obturator means when the selected endotracheal tube is disposed thereon, and frictional overcoming means being in the form of a lever having one end thereof for engaging a portion of the selected endotracheal tube, said lever being configured as a trigger and being pivotally mounted on said handle means, pivoting of said lever breaking frictional engagement between said collar means and the selected endotracheal tube and therefore terminating the retention thereof. 
     
     
       7. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said handle means includes a plurality of finger undulations to facilitate the grasping thereof by a user. 
     
     
       8. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said handle means comprises a first end and a second end, said elongated obturator means being fixedly secured to said first end of said handle means. 
     
     
       9. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said handle means comprises a first end and a second end, said elongated obturator means being fixedly secured to said handle means intermediate and spaced from the ends thereof. 
     
     
       10. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said controlled gas delivery means comprises a longitudinal gas delivery lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said gas delivery lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, and means for a controlled supply of gas to the other end of said gas delivery lumen. 
     
     
       11. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 10, wherein said controlled gas supply means comprises a gas conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with said other end of said gas delivery lumen, the other end of said gas conduit for communicating with a supply of gas, and vent means intermediate said ends of said gas conduit, said vent means being configured such that said gas conduit is substantially precluded from delivering gas to said gas delivery lumen unless said vent means is closed. 
     
     
       12. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 11, wherein said other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen is disposed adjacent to said handle means, said gas conduit being disposed in said handle means and said vent means having an opening through said handle means. 
     
     
       13. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 12, wherein said vent means opening is defined by a finger receiving portion for closing by a finger of the user. 
     
     
       14. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said controlled suction means comprises a longitudinal suction lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, and means for controlled delivery of suction to the other end of said longitudinal suction lumen. 
     
     
       15. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 14, wherein said controlled suction delivery means comprises a suction conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with said other end of said suction lumen, the other end of said suction conduit for communicating with a suction apparatus, and vent means intermediate said ends of said suction conduit, said vent means being configured such that said suction conduit is substantially precluded from delivering suction to said suction lumen unless said vent means is closed. 
     
     
       16. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 15, wherein said other end of said longitudinal suction lumen is disposed adjacent to said handle means, said vent means has an opening through said handle means, and said suction conduit is disposed in said handle means. 
     
     
       17. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 16, wherein said vent means opening has a finger receiving portion for closing by a finger of the user. 
     
     
       18. A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation or the like in a patient by a selected endotracheal tube comprising: handle means for gripping by one hand of a user, said handle means including a plurality of finger undulations to facilitate the grasping thereof by said user;   elongated obturator means having first and second ends and being fixedly secured adjacent to said first end thereof to said handle means, said obturator means for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube, said obturator means having a longitudinal lumen disposed therein extending from said first end of said obturator means to said second end thereof, said obturator means also for removably receiving in said longitudinal lumen at least a portion of an endoscope thereby permitting visualization by said endoscope at said second end of said obturator means;   means for selectively retaining and ejecting the selected endotracheal tube when disposed upon said obturator means, said selective retaining and ejecting means including means for frictionally retaining the selected endotracheal tube and means for overcoming said frictional retaining means, said frictional overcoming means including collar means mounted on said obturator means adjacent to said first end thereof, said collar means for engaging the end of the selected endotracheal tube falling adjacent to said first end of said elongated obturator means when the selected endotracheal tube is disposed thereon, said frictional overcoming means including a lever having one end thereof for engaging a portion of the selected endotracheal tube, said lever being configured as a trigger and being pivotally mounted on said handle means, pivoting of said lever terminating retention of the selected endotracheal tube by said frictional retaining means;   means for providing controlled delivery of a gas to said second end of said obturator means as desired by a user, said controlled gas delivery means including a longitudinal gas delivery lumen having two ends disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said longitudinal gas delivery lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, said other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen being disposed adjacent to said handle means, and means for controlled supply of gas to the other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen, said controlled gas supply means including a gas conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with said other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen at the juncture of said handle means and said obturator means, the other end of said gas conduit for communicating, with a supply of gas, and vent means intermediate said ends of said gas conduit and opening through said handle means, said vent means being configured such that said gas conduit is substantially precluded from delivering gas to said longitudinal gas delivery lumen unless said vent means is closed, said gas conduit being disposed in said handle means and said vent means having a finger receiving portion for closing by a finger of the user; and   means for providing controlled suction at said second end of said obturator means, said controlled suction means including a longitudinal suction lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, said other end of said longitudinal suction lumen being disposed adjacent to said handle means, and means for controlled delivery of suction to the other end of said longitudinal suction lumen, said controlled suction delivery means including a suction conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with the other end of said longitudinal suction lumen at the juncture of said handle means and said obturator means, said other end of said suction conduit for communicating with a suction apparatus, and suction vent means intermediate said ends of said suction conduit, said suction vent means being configured such that said suction conduit is substantially precluded from delivering suction to said suction lumen unless said suction vent means is closed, said suction conduit being disposed in said handle means and said suction vent means having an opening through said handle means for closing by a finger of the user;   wherein said trigger, said gas conduit vent means, and said suction vent means are controlled by the one hand of the user when said handle means is gripped by the one hand of the user.   
     
     
       19. A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation or the like in a patient by a selected endotracheal tube comprising: handle means for gripping by one hand of a user;   an elongated obturator means having first and second ends and being fixedly secured adjacent to said first end thereof to said handle means, said obturator means for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube, said obturator means having a longitudinal lumen disposed therein extending from said first end of said obturator means to said second end thereof, said obturator means also for removably receiving in said longitudinal lumen at least a portion of an endoscope thereby permitting visualization by said endoscope at said second end of said obturator means;   means for selectively retaining and ejecting the selected endotracheal tube when disposed upon said obturator means;   means for providing controlled delivery of a gas to said second end of said obturator means as desired by a user, said controlled gas delivery means including a longitudinal gas delivery lumen having two ends disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said longitudinal gas delivery lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, said other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen being disposed adjacent to said handle means, and means for controlled supply of gas to the other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen, said controlled gas supply means including a gas conduit disposed in said handle means, said gas conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with said other end of said longitudinal gas delivery lumen at the juncture of said handle means and said obturator means, the other end of said gas conduit for communicating with a supply of gas, and vent means intermediate said ends of said gas conduit and opening through said handle means, said vent means being configured such that said gas conduit is substantially precluded from delivering as to said longitudinal gas delivery lumen unless said vent means is closed; and   means for providing controlled suction at said second end of said obturator means;   wherein said selectively retaining and ejecting means is selectable, and said controlled gas delivery means and said controlled suction means are each controllable by the one hand of the user when said handle means is gripped by said one hand of the user.   
     
     
       20. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 19, wherein said vent means is configured for closing by a finger of the user. 
     
     
       21. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 19, wherein said controlled suction means comprises a longitudinal suction lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, and means for controlled delivery of suction to the other end of said longitudinal suction lumen. 
     
     
       22. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 21, wherein said controlled suction delivery means comprises a suction conduit having two ends in communication atone end thereof with said other end of said longitudinal suction lumen at the juncture of said handle means and said obturator means, the other end of said suction conduit for communicating with a suction apparatus, and suction vent means intermediate said ends of said suction conduit, said suction vent means being configured such that said suction conduit is substantially precluded from delivering suction to said suction lumen unless said suction vent means is closed. 
     
     
       23. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 22, wherein said suction vent means opens through said handle means, said suction conduit being disposed in said handle means. 
     
     
       24. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 22, wherein said vent means and said suction vent means are adapted to be closed by the fingers of the user. 
     
     
       25. A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation or the like in a patient by a selected endotracheal tube comprising: handle means to be gripped by one hand of a user;   elongated obturator means having first and second ends and being fixedly secured adjacent to said first end thereof to said handle means, said obturator means for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube, said obturator means having a longitudinal lumen disposed therein extending from said first end of said obturator means to said second end thereof, said obturator means also for receiving therein at least a portion of an endoscope thereby permitting visualization by said endoscope at said second end of said obturator means;   means for selectively retaining and ejecting the selected endotracheal tube when disposed upon said obturator means;   means for providing controlled delivery of a gas to said second end of said obturator means; and   means for providing controlled suction at said second end of said obturator means, said controlled suction means including a longitudinal suction lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means such that said lumen opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, said other end of said longitudinal suction lumen being disposed adjacent to said handle means, and means for controlled delivery of suction to the other end of said longitudinal suction lumen, said controlled suction delivery means including a suction conduit disposed in said handle means, said suction conduit having two ends and being is communication at one end thereof with other end of said suction lumen, said other end of said suction conduit for communicating with a suction apparatus, and suction vent means intermediate said ends of said suction conduit and opening through said handle means, said suction vent means being configured such that said suction conduit is substantially precluded from delivering suction to said suction lumen unless said suction vent means is closed;   wherein said selectively retaining and ejecting means is selectable, and said controlled gas delivery means and said controlled suction means are each controllable by the one hand of the user when said handle means is gripped by the one hand of the user.   
     
     
       26. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 25, wherein said controlled gas delivery means comprises a longitudinal gas delivery lumen having two ends and being disposed in said elongated obturator means which opens on one end thereof through said second end of said elongated obturator means, and means for controlled supply of gas to the other end of said gas delivery lumen. 
     
     
       27. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 26, wherein said controlled gas supply means comprises a gas conduit having two ends and being in communication at one end thereof with said other end of said gas delivery lumen at the juncture of said handle means and said obturator means, the other end of said gas conduit for communicating with a supply of gas, and vent means intermediate said ends of said gas conduit, said vent means being configured such that said gas conduit is substantially precluded from delivering gas to said gas delivery lumen unless said vent means is closed. 
     
     
       28. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 27, wherein said gas conduit vent means opens through said handle means, said gas conduit being disposed in said handle means. 
     
     
       29. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 27, wherein said vent means is configured for closing by a finger of the user. 
     
     
       30. A medical instrument in accordance with claim 25, wherein said suction vent means is configured for closing by a finger of the user.